Aren Adamian, better known by their stage name Anoush Ellah, is a Canadian drag performer from Toronto, Ontario. "Anoush Ellah" is an Armenian saying meaning "let it be sweet".[1]
Aren Adamian | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Drag queen |
| Years active | 2021-present |
Career
editAnoush Ellah's first public drag performance occurred in April 2021 at a virtual Cher-themed fundraiser for the Armenian victims of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, entitled "Cher the Love for Artsakh".[2]
In December 2022, Anoush Ellah performed in San Francisco at a show entitled "Try, Hye!" ("Try, Armenian!")[3], part of CounterPulse's "Performing Diaspora" artist residency program.[4]
In September 2023, Anoush Ellah performed at GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society's twenty-fifth anniversary gala in Glendale, America.[5] Their performance, which included traditional Armenian dress, caused outrage among anti-LGBT+ Armenians.[6]
Anoush Ellah has performed at Pride Toronto,[7] and is a regular performer at "Hoebibi", an event featuring Middle Eastern drag artists in Toronto. Reflecting on their art, they have noted that "part of what I wanted to do was bring the culture into the queer spaces and in a way kinda shove it down everybody’s throat…you can’t walk down church street and hear Duduk sounds blasting from a club like it's just not gonna happen…but that’s the vision that I have when I walk down [Toronto’s LGBTQ] village.”[8]
Personal life
editAnoush Ellah uses the pronouns he/they out of drag and she/her in drag.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Aren Adamian: Born to perform". Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ Kristin Anahit Cass (August 9, 2022). "There's Nothing More Powerful than Living Your Authentic Truth: Interview with Anoush Ellah". Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "About this Project". Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "CounterPulse Presents ARC Performing Diaspora 2022". 21 October 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Announcing our spectacular line-up of #GALAS25 Anniversary Gala performers!!". August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ "Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Groups Target Glendale Schools". What's Next, Los Angeles?. March 1, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Anoush Ellah". Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "A passionate opinion piece on SWANA Drag and artivism". MENAarts Newsletter. September 25, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Aren Adamian: Born to perform". Retrieved November 12, 2024.